Signs and Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease
People usually start to see signs between the ages of 30 and 50, but symptoms can begin earlier or later.
Early Signs and Symptoms
In the beginning, Huntington’s disease may cause subtle changes that can be easy to miss. Here are some of the early signs:
- Mood changes: People may feel more irritable, sad, or anxious than usual.
- Memory problems: Forgetfulness or trouble concentrating on tasks can be early signs.
- Trouble with movements: Some people start to experience small muscle twitches or feel clumsy when walking or picking up objects.
- Lack of coordination: Movements may feel jerky or unsteady, making it harder to balance.
Symptoms as the Disease Progresses
As Huntington’s disease progresses, symptoms can become more noticeable and may interfere with daily life. Here are some common symptoms:
- Uncontrolled movements: This is called "chorea" and involves sudden, jerky movements in the face, arms, or legs. These movements are not voluntary and can make daily activities difficult.
- Muscle stiffness: Muscles may become rigid or feel tense, which can make movement harder and more painful.
- Slurred speech: Talking may become difficult, and speech might sound slurred, slow, or hard to understand.
- Difficulty swallowing: Eating and drinking can become challenging due to trouble with swallowing.
- Trouble with memory and thinking: Over time, people may struggle with remembering things, solving problems, or planning.
- Personality changes: Some people may experience major shifts in their personality, becoming more withdrawn or aggressive.
Behavioral Symptoms
In addition to movement and memory problems, Huntington’s disease can also affect behavior:
- Depression: Many people with Huntington’s disease feel persistently sad and may even feel hopeless.
- Obsessive behaviors: People may develop repetitive thoughts or actions that they feel they need to do over and over.
- Irritability and anger: Mood swings and anger outbursts can happen more often.
Treatments for Huntington’s Disease
Currently, there is no cure for Huntington’s disease, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
1. Medications
Certain medications can help control movement symptoms and mood changes:
- Medications for movement: Drugs like tetrabenazine and deutetrabenazine can reduce jerky movements (chorea).
- Antidepressants: These medications help manage symptoms of depression, irritability, and mood swings.
- Antipsychotics: In some cases, these drugs help with mood and behavior changes, especially when patients feel anxious, irritable, or have hallucinations.
2. Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Physical therapy: Physical therapists can help improve strength, balance, and flexibility, which may make moving around easier and reduce falls.
- Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists teach new ways to do daily tasks, helping people stay independent for longer. They can also recommend tools like special eating utensils to make daily life easier.
3. Speech Therapy
A speech therapist can help with speech and swallowing problems. They can teach exercises to improve clarity of speech and suggest techniques to make swallowing safer, reducing the risk of choking.
4. Counseling and Support Groups
Emotional and mental health support can be helpful for both the person with Huntington’s disease and their family members. Talking to a counselor or joining a support group can provide a sense of community and help people cope with the challenges of the disease.
Living with Huntington’s Disease
With the right treatments, many people with Huntington’s disease can still enjoy meaningful and active lives. While the disease does get worse over time, supportive care, therapy, and medications can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. If you or a loved one notice any of the symptoms above, it’s important to talk to a doctor for an evaluation and to discuss options for managing the condition.